When We Lose Our Hunger for God
Salt and Light Newsletter
December 10, 2025
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Pastor’s Thoughts
What We Lose When We Lose Our Hunger for God
One of the most sobering realities for any believer is not falling into obvious sin, but slowly losing their spiritual appetite. Hunger for God does not disappear overnight. It fades quietly. It weakens gradually. It slips away without loud warning.
The danger is not that we stop believing in God. The danger is that we stop longing for Him.
David said, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1). That kind of hunger does not come from routine religion. It comes from a heart that knows it cannot survive without the presence of God.
When we lose our hunger for God, we begin to lose more than we realize.
We lose sensitivity to His voice.
We lose conviction of sin.
We lose urgency in prayer.
We lose joy in worship.
We lose power in witness.
We lose delight in the Word.
The Bible may still sit open on the table but no longer burn in the heart. Prayer may still be spoken but no longer felt as a lifeline. Worship may still be sung but no longer treasured as communion with God.
Jesus warned the church at Ephesus, “You have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). They were active. They were orthodox. They were working. But they were no longer burning. They had truth without tenderness, service without surrender, labor without love.
Hunger for God is not automatic. It must be guarded. It must be fed. It must be prioritized.
We often blame busyness, stress, seasons, or fatigue for our lack of spiritual desire. But Scripture points us to a deeper truth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Hunger precedes filling. Desire comes before depth.
When a believer loses hunger for God, other appetites rush in to fill the space. Comfort takes the place of conviction. Entertainment takes the place of prayer. Distraction takes the place of devotion.
The most dangerous place a Christian can live is not in crisis, but in spiritual contentment without spiritual craving.
Hunger keeps us dependent. Hunger keeps us watchful. Hunger keeps us returning to the presence of God again and again.
The absence of hunger should alarm us more than the presence of struggle. Struggle often drives us to God. A lack of hunger quietly lulls us away from Him.
If you sense your hunger has weakened, do not settle into that condition. Ask God to awaken desire again. Return to the Word, not as a task, but as a meeting place. Return to prayer, not as obligation, but as breath. Return to worship, not as a song, but as surrender.
God has never rejected a hungry heart.
And one of the greatest prayers a believer can ever pray is not, Lord give me more, but Lord make me want You again.
– Pastor Justin Walker
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Celebrating New Life in Christ!
This past week, we rejoiced as Jim Manning followed Christ in believer’s baptism at Salt & Light. We give thanks to God for the work He is doing in his life. Let’s continue to encourage and walk alongside him as he grows in faith.
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Church Happenings
Wednesday Night – December 10
6 - 6:45 PM - Dinner | Upper Lobby
Chicken Tortilla Soup, Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, Salad, Bread, Strawberry Fluff, and Dessert
A $5 donation is requested to cover food costs with additional going to the Building Fund. If you cannot make a donation, please join us for dinner, all are welcome.
7 PM - Bible Study - Romans | Sanctuary
Study Notes Romans 11:17-36
Nursery - 5th Grade | Lower Level
Middle and High School Youth | Lower Level
Romans with Paul Thomas
Girls (8th grade & up) - “Lies Young Women Believe” with Sarah Thomas
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Christmas Food Drive - Tonight is the Final Wednesday Night Collection
Collecting through Friday, December 12 Salt & Light will give Christmas meals, along with a Bible, prayer, and sharing the gospel, to families in need in our community on Saturday, December 13.
The following donations are needed for the Food Pantry to assemble 25 meals:
Ham: 19
Boxed Stuffing Mix: 10 boxes
Cranberry Sauce: 5 cans
Refrigerated Crescent Rolls: 20 cans
Desserts: Need a mix of pies and cookie dough to have 25 desserts. Frozen Pies (have 3) Cookie Dough (have 4).
Please place donations on the hospitality counter near the Coffee Bar in the Upper Lobby and ask the Coffee Bar volunteers to place perishable items in the refrigerator or freezer.
If you have a large donation, please contact Kristen Tingle to drop off at the pantry by Friday 502-931-7987
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Prayer Meeting Friday, December 12 | Please note the new start time of 6:30 PM
This is the final Prayer Meeting for 2025. The next Prayer Meeting will be Friday, January 9th at 6:30 PM
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This Sunday – December 14 | 11 AM
The Unexpected Christmas Series
Message: Week 3 — Unstoppable Christmas
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
This week in The Unexpected Christmas Series, we’ll look at the Wise Men. Men who crossed deserts, followed a star, and searched relentlessly for a King they had never seen. Their travels remind us that true worship is not convenient, casual, or comfortable. True worship is driven by faith, and continues in pursuit. The Wise Men will show us that Jesus is not only the Messiah of Israel, but the Savior for all nations... He is the King of Kings. Come be reminded that when you truly seek Him, you will always find Him.
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Women of the Word Bible Study- Tuesdays | 9:45-11:30 AM
at Sharon Holbert’s Home Questions? Contact Sharon 502-235-6687
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Salt and Light Academy Christmas Program - Friday, December 19 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
The church is invited to join Salt and Light Academy for their annual Christmas program with presentations by each class.
Let’s support our SLA students and enjoy this delightful evening celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, when God came to earth to dwell among us.
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Christmas Eve at Salt & Light - December 24 | 5 PM
Join us for a special Christmas Eve candlelight service as we come together as a church family to remember and rejoice in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This will be a simple and meaningful night of worship, Scripture, and reflection. We will gather in worship in the round, sing beloved Christmas songs, and read the Christmas story from God’s Word woven throughout our time together. Pastor Justin will share a message as we reflect on the hope of Christ, and we will close the evening with a candlelight moment as we sing Silent Night together.
This service is designed for the whole family to experience together. There will be no dinner, nursery, children’s ministry, or youth ministry this evening.
We invite you and your family to come and celebrate the light of Christ with us on Christmas Eve.
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New Year’s Eve - Wednesday December 31
There will be no dinner, service, or groups. All resume Wednesday, January 7.
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Salt & Light Cookbook
As you prepare food for the holidays, please submit your favorite recipes for the cookbook being compiled. We have 45 recipes and need your favorites! We would love to have at least one recipe from each family!
When completed, the cookbooks will be sold with the proceeds going to the church.
Please email your favorite recipe(s) and a favorite scripture for each recipe - along with a photo of the completed dish, if possible - by December 31 to Ashley Mazzoni at Ash.82Mazzoni@gmail.com
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Youth Camp - June 12–16, 2026
5 days of fun and fellowship—lake swimming, staying up late, eating too many snow cones, and most importantly, growing in God’s Word.
Students 12 years old (by June 12 and have completed 6th grade) through high school may attend.
A $5 registration fee is required to hold your spot.
Total cost is $400 per student - $75 is due February 16th and the remaining balance of $325 is due May 18th. All camp payments are non-refundable.
Register Here
If the cost of camp is a hindrance to your student’s attendance, please see Paul Thomas or email Youth@SaltandLightKy.org
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Young Adults | Next Chapter (Ages 18-31)
For anyone around 18–31 who wants to stay connected, build friendships, and grow in faith together.
Signal Group - to request to join and stay in the loop or with questions - text Joshua Rieth 502-230-6629 or Kaiden Perrodin 502-663-3681
Bible Study - Sundays | 10:05 - 10:45 AM - Meets near the Library
Currently studying Colossians
Questions? Email Cheri Grinnell - Cheri@SaltandLightKY.org
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Lee Corps - Tuesdays | 7 - 9 PM Upper Lobby
Lee Corps provides a youth led, adult facilitated, Christian cadet program to foster leadership and a love for Christ in our community’s youth, ages 12-18. They excel in leadership and military skills preparation with a Christian worldview to serve their country and communities through training in tactics and field training, Christian apologetics, marksmanship, physical conditioning, and much more.
Lee Corps is not associated with or a ministry of Salt & Light Church but uses our facilities for their weekly training and welcomes interested young people to attend. No registration required.
Younger youth are welcome if they can sit through and be engaged in the presentations.
For more information LeeCorps.org or contact LtCol (Ret) Michael Muller (270) 300-1571 _________________________________________________________
Serving Opportunities & Needs
Building Fund - $177,980 of the $200,000 due 12/31 has been given.
Thank you for prayerfully considering giving an offering toward the property purchase.
Please memo your offerings “Building Fund”.
In 2021, when Salt & Light outgrew our former location, God provided the beautiful 71 acre property with a former horse auction facility and barn where we now gather as a church family.
We entered a lease to own agreement with a payment due December 31 of each year until the purchase is complete. Monthly rent and all improvements and repairs the church invests in the property is also credited toward the purchase.
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Security Team - Volunteers are needed to serve on the Salt & Light Security Team.
Please text Mike Muller 270-300-1571
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Salt and Light Academy’s Christmas Giving Tree - Select an ornament from the tree - located inside the main entrance - to commit to recurring monthly giving.
Each hand color signifies a giving level commitment:
$50 - Blue or Pink
$100 - Orange
$200 - Purple
$500 - Green
$1000 - Red
One-Time Gift of any Amount - Yellow
Any local donor making their first gift by December 31st and committing to recurrent monthly giving of $50 or more may fill out an order form to receive their choice of a “Raising Saints & Patriots” short or long sleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie.
To receive the shirt before Christmas, the first donation and apparel order form must be completed by Sunday, December 14, 2025.
To make the first donation, please set up recurring giving here and select “Monthly”.
To order your shirt, please complete the form here.
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Food Pantry
Bible Donations - The Food Pantry gives a Bible to many of our visitors. Children’s Bibles are especially popular.
We are not requesting purchasing Bibles. If you have gently used Bibles that you no longer use or that your children have aged out of, it would be a blessing if you could donate them for us to share.
The Christmas Meals are top priority with distribution to families this Saturday so please meet those needs first.
If you would like to give to restock the pantry serving daily needs, there is low supply of the following items:
Pasta & pasta sauce
Jelly
Frozen chicken
Frozen pizza
Frozen lasagna
Hamburger helper
Chef Boyardee
Spam
Pancake mix
Syrup
Milk - Half Gallon
Eggs
Butter
Please place food and Bibles in bags labeled “Food Pantry” on the hospitality counter near the Coffee Bar. Please ask the Coffee Bar Volunteers to place perishable items in the refrigerator.
Thank you for donating and praying for this ministry!
If you are in need of food or know someone in need, please text Courtney Day 502-648-5447 for a private appointment to shop in the pantry.
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Children’s Ministry
Teachers for 4-6 year old class - 11a Sundays - God has sent many precious children to Salt & Light in recent weeks and they need teachers to share the gospel and Bible with them while their parents worship and learn in the Sanctuary service.
Music with the Children - if you are musically gifted, we would love for you to teach and sing Bible songs with the children twice each month or as you have time to share.
Substitute and Rotational Teachers are needed to fill in for 1 class or multiple weeks when regular teachers are unavailable or to give them a break for a month or so.
Special Needs - Volunteers are needed to serve as one-on-one buddies in class with children with special needs.
For More Details - text Jessica Walker 502-365-0839
Greet and Check-In children and their families to the nursery and their classes when they arrive on Sunday morning and/or Wednesday evening. Text Debbie Duvall 502-321-8798
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Salt & Light Academy
Classroom Build Supplies Needed - new classrooms have recently been constructed and a few items are needed to complete the project. If you have any of these items you could donate, know a donor, or would like to give money to purchase supplies, please see the listing of needed items here.
Questions contact Kurt Shelton 502-387-0960
Lunch & Recess Volunteers - Interact with and help the children to give the teachers a planning period. A background check is required. Email Michelle Elliott michelle.elliott@saltandlightacademy.com
Please continue to pray, promote, and support Salt and Light Academy. Your ongoing giving keeps the school fully funded and tuition-free, and every gift matters.
One-time or auto pay weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly donations may be made or set up online Here
Donations of needed supplies for classes and the office are greatly appreciated. You can view and give through our Amazon Wish List
Guns4Good Raffle - $20 per ticket
A parent-led fundraiser for Salt & Light Academy
4 guns will be individually awarded with first name drawn having first choice, second having second choice of the remaining guns, etc.
Purchase tickets at the front desk inside the main entrance during school hours or text Paul Thomas 502-480-7287
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Wednesday Dinner
Volunteers are needed to assist with food prep at Katie’s house in Shelbyville on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.
We don't need a weekly commitment, anything you can do to lend a hand will be greatly appreciated!
Contact Katie Anasis by call or text 937-441-4225. Thanks so much!
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Salt & Light Library
Open Sundays 8:30 - 11 AM and 15 min after service
Wednesdays 5 - 7 PM and 15 min after service
Volunteers Needed - Text Sharon Holbert 502-235-6687
Book Donations appreciated — view our wishlist:
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Family Communication Board
We have a bulletin board in the Upper Lobby inside the main entrance, on the wall above the giving box across from the Connection Point area, for you to post needs you would be blessed to receive and shares you would like to give.
Freely Receive - If you have a need - a service or item or a friend to do something with - please post it on the side of the board labeled “Freely Receive”.
Freely Give – when you have something to give - a lawn mower that still works, furniture you aren't using, a willingness to serve by sharing a skill or some spare time - please post on the side of the board labeled “Freely Given”.
Note papers are in the basket to write your give and receive notes to post on the board.
This is not a buy, sell, or trade board, but a family sharing board.
The only money that should be exchanged would be a paycheck if you are offering to hire someone.
Check our family sharing board often, there may be a message that will be a blessing for you!!
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Care Ministry
If you are in need of care (hospital, long-term facility, homebound), please contact Salt & Light at 502-265-6828
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Stay Connected – Join Our Facebook Groups
Stay encouraged and connected!
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Have an Announcement of an Event or Volunteer Need?
Please email new submissions by Monday each week to Marie Long at Long12686@gmail.com
Thanks for helping us keep everything clear and timely!